Sunday, September 14, 2008

Welcome to the Blog

Today marks the opening of our online museum of World War II photography. We call it “WWII Through the Lens” and hope that it will contribute to the memory of those who died and served in this momentous conflict of the Twentieth Century.

We start off our exhibit with what we consider to be one of the most iconic images of the war — the photo of the second flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal on Friday, February 23, 1945. This photo inspired millions back home at a time when the war was wearing thin on morale, and inspired war bond sales like never before.

It also inspired the recent book “Flags of Our Fathers,” written by James Bradley (the son of one of the flag-raisers) and the film adaptation, directed by Clint Eastwood.